(Wed., Sept. 19, 2012)—Honolulu has been named one of America’s Promise Alliance’s

100 Best Communities for Young People.The national award, presented by ING, recognizes Honolulu’s outstanding and innovative work in addressing the high school dropout crisis, and its programs and services that make it an outstanding place for youth to live, learn, and grow.

A five-time 100 Best, Honolulu continues to provide youth with educational, safe, and productive activities.Other winning years were 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2011.Since 2003, the City and County of Honolulu’s YouthServicesCenter has provided development and employment training services to at-risk youth.

“We are proud to be one of the nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People,” Mayor Peter Carlisle said. “This award recognizes the hard work of many community members who have contributed to making a difference in the lives of our young people.It reinforces our belief that a focus on youth pays dividends to the entire community.”

This year, Honolulu competed with more than 320 communities from all 50 states, WashingtonD.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico for this honor.All communities entering the 100 Best competition completed a rigorous application where they provided details on how their existing programs and initiatives help deliver the Five Promises—resources, identified by America’s Promise as being critical to the development of healthy, successful children into caring adults; safe places; a healthy start; effective education; and opportunities to help others.Applicants also were asked to describe how different sectors of their community work together to help children and families overcome challenges.Most importantly, communities were judged on the strength and innovation of their efforts and programs to help high school graduates prepare for college and the 21st century workforce.